Updated at 9.55pm
IRISH CITIZENS ARE being warned not to travel outside the Sharm el Sheikh resort as countries raise security measures after Saturday’s plane crash.
It follows a statement from the British government earlier that it now believes that the crashed Russian plane may have been brought down by a bomb.
Downing Street released the following statement:
“While the investigation is still ongoing we cannot say categorically why the Russian jet crashed. But as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device.”
As a result of the intelligence, the UK confirmed it had suspended flights from Sharm el Sheikh to the UK. Downing Street described it as a “precautionary measure”.
Irish aviation officials have now followed suit with a warning that all airlines should avoid the airspace of the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula until further notice.
In a statement released this evening, the Irish Aviation Authority said:
“The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) directs Irish airline operators not to operate to/from Sharm el‐Sheikh Airport, Egypt or in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula airspace until further notice.”
Debris at the crash site the day after the plane came down.Source: AP/Press Association Images
The Department of Foreign Affairs has now offered further advice to Irish citizens in the region, saying they should "exercise a high degree of caution":
Irish citizens in Sharm el Sheikh are advised to exercise a high degree of caution and to avoid travelling outside the resort.Irish citizens intending to fly in to/out of Sharm el Sheikh should note the direction issued by the Irish Aviation Authority on 4 November to Irish airline operators not to operate to/from Sharm el-Sheikh airport or in the Egyptian Sinai peninsula airspace until further notice.
Irish citizens are also being advised that other aviation authorities and airlines may have restrictions in place.
Sky News reported earlier information leading to the Downing Street statement did not come from investigations at the crash site, but other sources.
The Metroject airliner crashed in the Sinai desert on Saturday, killing 224 people.
A group associated with Islamic State militants claimed that it had brought down the craft. Russian and Egyptian officials said however that there was no evidence to back up such claims.
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